Hidesign enters hospitality business

Pondicherry-based leather products brand Hidesign's founder, Dilip Kapur, has embarked on a Rs 15 crore diversification into hospitality business. The project will see the setting up of two designer hotels in the union territory.

Dupliex, a designer hotel with a "grand heritage" tag, is developed with foreign and Indian heritage tourists as targets. Dupliex, is expected to be commissioned by first week of June this year with 14 designer rooms in the tariff band of Rs 2500 to Rs 5000 a night. The hotel will be managed by Mumbai-based Park Plaza Group.

The second hotel that is being developed as a sea facing boutique hotel with four star rating will be targeting business and weekend travellers.

Though the tariff rates for the beach hotel is yet to be decided, the promoters said it will be lower than Dupliex's tariff. The beach hotel that is yet to be named, will have 35 rooms with contemporary-style furnishing and will be ready for occupation in the next four months.

A new company, Auberge Heritage Hotels Pvt Ltd, has been floated to undertake these two projects.

Kapur is the major equity holder in the company which is floated with a capital of Rs 15 crore. A French national Dimitri, holds 15 per cent stake in this company.

Kapur recently acquired the woodwork from former French governor Dupliex's residence in Pondicherry. "The Dupliex residence that is now owned by an Indian resident in Pondicherry, was falling apart.

Since we could do little to save the house in its original form, we bought over the entire woodwork and they have been restored as part of the hotel's decor." Source close to Kapur said the woodwork have been bought at a price of around Rs 1 crore.

J Gilbert, director, Auberge Heritage Hotels said, "The heritage factor will be the unique selling proposition for Dupliex. Since it will have only 14 rooms, we are expecting 100 per cent occupancy for most part of the year. This hotel will also carry the Grand Heritage tag that will be a premium over the usual heritage tag given to palaces renovated into hotels."

He added that the Dupliex will offer a continental menu along with tandoor and will sport a bar offering fancy cocktails apart from regular imported spirit.